[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 139 (Monday, July 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43120-43126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18166]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Program Announcement No. ACYF/HS-2003-16]


Fiscal Year 2003 Discretionary Announcement for Head Start--
Higher Education Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships: Availability of 
Funds and Request for Applications

AGENCY: Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), 
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), DHHS.

ACTION: Announcement of the availability of funds and request for 
applications for professional development and training grants for 
institutions of higher education in partnership with Head Start and 
Early Head Start programs to improve services to Hispanic/Latino 
children and their families.

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    CFDA #: The catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number is 
93.600.
SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), 
Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) announces the 
availability of up to $1,500,000 in funds for institutions of higher 
education with experience and capability in educating and preparing 
professionals to work effectively with Hispanic/Latino young children 
and families, in partnership with Head Start and Early Head Start 
programs. The purpose is to improve the quality and long-term 
effectiveness of Head Start and Early Head Start program services to 
Hispanic/Latino children and their families by developing academic and 
other training models and forming partnerships between institutions of 
higher education and Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

DATES: The closing date and time for receipt of application is 4:30 
p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), August 18, 2003. Applications received 
after the closing date and time will be classified as late.

ADDRESSES: Mailed and hand-carried applications will be received at the 
following address: ACYF Operations Center, Head Start-Higher Education 
Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships (HS-HEHLSPs), 1150 Connecticut 
Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 1-800-351-
2293, E-mail: [email protected].
    All packages should be clearly labeled as follows: Application for 
Head Start'Higher Education Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships (HS-
HEHLSPs).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Head Start Discretionary Grant 
Support Team (1-800-351-2293--ACYF) is available to answer questions 
concerning application requirements. You may e-mail your questions to: 
[email protected]. When contacting ACYF directly with programmatic 
questions send to William Wilson, Grants Officer, 330 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447, (202) 205-8913, [email protected].
    If you are interested in submitting an application please send a 
post card or call at least two weeks prior to the submission deadline 
with the following information: the name, address, telephone and fax 
numbers, and e-mail address of the principle investigator and the name 
of the institution. This information will be used to determine the 
number of expert reviewers needed to evaluate applications. Send the 
declaration of interest information to: ACYF Operations Center, Head 
Start-Higher Education Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships (HS-
HEHLSPs), 1150 Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 
20036, Telephone: 1-800-351-2293. E-mail: [email protected].
    Copies of the program announcement, necessary application forms and 
appendices can be obtained by contacting the above address, and/or 
visiting the ACYF Web site at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/grant/fundingopportunities/fundopport.htm.

Fiscal Year 2003 Discretionary Announcement for Head Start--Higher 
Education Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships

Part I. Purpose and Background

A. Purpose

    Through this announcement, the Administration on Children, Youth 
and Families (ACYF) is making available up to $1,500,000 annually for 
each of five (5) years to support Head Start ``Higher Education 
Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships (HS-HEHLSPs), which will be 
awarded through a competitive process. The HS-HEHLSPs initiative was 
developed in response to the White House Initiative on Hispanic 
Education. The purpose of HS-HEHLSPs is to improve the quality and long 
term effectiveness of Head Start and Early Head Start programs by 
developing academic and other training models through partnerships 
between institutions of higher education and Head Start/Migrant Head 
Start/Early Head Start agencies. The institutions of higher education 
that will be funded under this initiative, together with currently 
funded HS-HEHLSPs, will form a consortium to share methods, approaches, 
experiences, and lessons learned. The consortium is a partner of the 
Head Start National Training and Technical Assistance (T&TA) network in 
providing assistance to Head Start/Migrant Head Start/Early Head Start 
grantees. Proposed partnership agreements are expected to be designed 
to benefit both the institutions of higher education and the 
participating Head Start/Migrant Head Start/Early Head Start grantees. 
Moreover, proposed partnerships are expected to reflect the unique 
training needs of participating Head Start grantees, including the 
provision of training that is accessible and responsive to trainees.

B. Background

    The overall goal of Head Start is to enhance the healthy 
development and school readiness of children from low-income families. 
In order to accomplish this goal, Head Start provides comprehensive 
services to low-income children and their families. Head Start enhances 
children's physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. 
It supports parents in their efforts to fulfill their parental roles 
and provides for their involvement in implementing the Head Start 
program.
    In an attempt to ensure quality services to low-income children and 
their families, Head Start has conducted many demonstration projects, 
provided grantees with training and technical assistance, and given 
grantees funds to implement their own training efforts. For example, 
Head Start supported the creation of the Child Development Associate 
(CDA) credential designed for early childhood development teaching 
staff. Head Start also implemented the Head Start Partnerships with 
Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Head Start 
Partnerships with Tribally Controlled Land Grant Colleges and 
Universities (TCUs), and other innovative training and staff 
development projects.
    In the 1998 reauthorization of the Head Start Act, a key priority 
of Congress and the Administration was to continue to improve Head 
Start program quality and accountability. A number of provisions were 
included in the new law to achieve these goals, including new education 
performance standards and measures, expansion of program

[[Page 43121]]

monitoring to incorporate evidence of progress on outcome-based 
measures, expanded funding to upgrade program quality and staff 
compensation, and higher education standards for Head Start teachers. 
Among these provisions is the requirement that, by September 30, 2003, 
at least half of all Head Start teachers in center-based programs 
nationwide must have an AA, BA, or advanced degree in Early Childhood 
Education (ECE), or in a related field with pre-school teaching 
experience. A degree in a field related to early childhood education 
means a program of study that includes six or more courses in early 
childhood education and/or child development. Teachers who have degrees 
in related fields must also have experience teaching pre-school 
children.
    The Head Start Bureau is providing a variety of forms of assistance 
to local Head Start programs to implement these new legislative 
mandates. For example, to support increasing the numbers of teachers 
with degrees in early childhood education, grantees received 
$43,000,000 in funding in Fiscal Year 2000 to increase teacher salaries 
and expand access to higher education courses and degree programs. 
Additionally, all Head Start grantees are allowed to use a portion of 
program funds awarded to provide staff development training to all Head 
Start staff.
    In addition to these efforts, Head Start-State Collaboration 
Offices and training and technical assistance providers will help Head 
Start programs work with institutions of higher education on challenges 
such as linking training obtained in conjunction with the Child 
Development Associate credential with academic credit and courses 
leading to AA and BA degrees in early childhood education.
    In January 2001, the President signed into law the ``No Child Left 
Behind Act'' to make the education of every child in America one of the 
country's top priorities. The Act seeks to ensure that public schools 
teach children what they need to know to be successful in life and that 
they also set high standards. In his 2002 State of the Union address, 
the President indicated the need to prepare our children to read and 
succeed in school, including the improvement of Head Start and early 
childhood development programs. In response to these goals, the White 
House has developed an early childhood initiative, which is built on 
raising the bar for Head Start Education through researched methods 
that create a better learning environment and improve outcomes for 
children. In his announcement of the Good Start, Grow Smart Early 
Childhood Initiative in April 2002, the President identified children's 
early literacy as a key focus for Head Start program improvement. In 
this initiative, the President presented three areas of focus for Head 
Start: (1) Strengthening Head Start programs; (2) partnering with 
states to improve early childhood education, and (3) providing 
information to teachers, caregivers, and parents. The Head Start Bureau 
quickly responded to the President's mandate by developing the 
Strategic Teacher Education Project (STEP) in June 2002. The purpose of 
Project STEP is to ensure that all Head Start teachers engage in 
research-based strategies to support children's early literacy and 
positive social and emotional development, which, in turn, will lead to 
positive child outcomes and school readiness.
    Under this announcement, HEHLSPs must form a partnership with one 
or more Head Start/Migrant Head Start/Early Head Start grantees or 
delegate agencies, to develop age-appropriate and culturally 
appropriate curriculums and provide education and/or training to Head 
Start staff. The partnership agreements must be beneficial to both the 
HEHLSPs and the participating Head Start grantees.
    All project applications must address one of the following priority 
areas:
    1. Partnerships to increase the number of center-based teachers 
with two-year and four-year degrees in early childhood education, and
    2. Partnerships to increase the competency of Head Start staff in 
building quality Head Start programs, particularly in enhancing 
language development, early literacy, and social-emotional development, 
as well as assessing child outcomes. The area of early literacy 
includes supporting non-English speaking children in making progress in 
both the home language and English.

Part II. Program Information and Requirements

A. Statutory Authority

    The Head Start Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.

B. Eligible Applicants

    Institutions, including faith-based institutions, of higher 
education with experience and capability in educating and preparing 
professionals to work effectively with Hispanic/Latino young children 
and families are eligible to apply. Institutions that are currently 
funded under the Head Start-Higher Education Hispanic/Latino Service 
Partnerships are not eligible to apply under this announcement. These 
institutions are listed in Appendix A. Faith-based institutions 
planning to compete under this announcement must meet the same 
eligibility criteria as other applicants. Private, non-profit 
institutions are encouraged to submit with their applications the 
optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals & Forms'' at 
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.

C. Project Duration

    This announcement is soliciting applications for project periods of 
up to five (5) years. Awards, on a competitive basis, will be for a one 
(1) year budget period. Applications for continuation grants funded 
under these awards beyond the one-year budget, but within the five-year 
project period, will be reviewed in subsequent years on a non-
competitive basis subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory 
performance by the grantee, and a determination that continued funding 
would be in the best interest of the Government.

D. Federal Share of Project Costs

    It is anticipated that up to $1,500,000 in ACF funds will be 
available annually. The maximum Federal-share for each project is not 
to exceed $150,000 per year per project.

E. Number of Projects To Be Funded

    It is anticipated that up to 10 projects will be funded.

F. Matching Requirement

    There are no matching funds requirements, however applicants are 
encouraged to provide non-Federal contributions to the project.

Part III. Application Requirements

    The following Uniform Project Description (UPD) has been approved 
by OMB under control number 0970-0139.

A. Purpose

    The project description provides a major means by which an 
application is evaluated and ranked to compete with other applications 
for available assistance. The project description should be concise and 
complete and should address the activity for which Federal funds are 
being requested. Supporting documents should be included where they can 
present information clearly and succinctly. In preparing your project 
description, all information requested through each specific evaluation 
criteria should be provided. Awarding offices use this and other 
information in making their

[[Page 43122]]

funding recommendations. It is important, therefore, that this 
information be included in the application.

B. General Instructions

    ACF is particularly interested in specific factual information and 
statements of measurable goals in quantitative terms. Project 
descriptions are evaluated on the basis of substance, not length. 
Extensive exhibits are not required. Supporting information concerning 
activities that will not be directly funded by the grant or information 
that does not directly pertain to an integral part of the grant-funded 
activity should be placed in an appendix. Pages should be numbered and 
a table of contents should be included for each reference.
Introduction
    Applicant shall prepare the project description statement in 
accordance with the following instructions and the specified evaluation 
criteria. The instructions give a broad overview of what your project 
description should include while the evaluation criteria expand and 
clarify more program-specific information that is needed.
a. Project Summary/Abstract
    Provide a summary of the project description (a page or less) with 
reference to the funding request.
b. Objectives and Need for Assistance
    Clearly identify the physical, economic, social, financial, 
institutional, and or problem(s) requiring a solution. The need for 
assistance must be demonstrated and the principal and subordinate 
objectives of the project must be clearly stated; supporting 
documentation, such as letters of support and testimonials from 
concerned interests other than the applicant, may be included. Any 
relevant data based on planning studies should be included or referred 
to in the endnotes/footnotes. Incorporate demographic data and 
participant/beneficiary information, as needed. In developing the 
project description, the applicant may volunteer or be requested to 
provide information on the total range of projects currently being 
conducted and supported (or to be initiated), some of which may be 
outside the scope of the program announcement.
c. Results or Benefits Expected
    Identify the results and benefits to be derived. For example, using 
a comprehensive review of the current literature, justify how the 
research questions and the findings will add new knowledge to the field 
or how it will improve services for children and families.
d. Approach
    Outline a plan of action that describes the scope and detail of how 
the proposed work will be accomplished. Account for all functions or 
activities identified in the application. Cite factors that might 
accelerate or decelerate the work and state your reason for taking the 
proposed approach rather than others. Describe any unusual features of 
the project such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, or extraordinary social and community involvement.
    Provide quantitative monthly or quarterly projections of the 
accomplishments to be achieved for each function or activity in such 
terms as the proportion of data collection expected to be completed. 
When accomplishments cannot be quantified by activity or function, list 
them in chronological order to show the schedule of accomplishments and 
their target dates.
    If any data are to be collected, maintained, and/or disseminated, 
clearance may be required from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). This clearance pertains to any ``collection of information that 
is conducted or sponsored by ACF. List organizations, cooperating 
entities, consultants, or other key individuals who will work on the 
project along with a short description of the nature of their effort or 
contribution.

C. Additional Information

    Following are requests for additional information that need to be 
included in the application:
a. Staff and Position Data
    Provide a job description for each key position and a biographical 
sketch for each key person. A biographical sketch will also be required 
for new key staff as appointed.
b. Organizational Profiles
    Provide information on the applicant organization(s) and 
cooperating partners such as organizational charts, financial 
statements, audit reports or statements from CPAs/Licensed Public 
Accountants, Employer Identification Numbers, names of bond carriers, 
contact persons and telephone numbers, child care licenses and other 
documentation of professional accreditation, information on compliance 
with Federal/State/local government standards, documentation of 
experience in the program area, and other pertinent information. Any 
non-profit organization submitting an application must submit proof of 
its non-profit status in its application at the time of submission. The 
non-profit agency can accomplish this by providing a copy of the 
applicant's listing in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) most recent 
list of tax-exempt organizations described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
IRS code, or by providing a copy of the currently valid IRS tax 
exemption certificate, or by providing a copy of the articles of 
incorporation or similar document that clearly establishes non-profit 
status bearing the seal of the State in which the corporation or 
association is domiciled or a statement from a State taxing body, State 
attorney general, or other appropriate State official certifying the 
applicant organization has a non-profit status and none of the net 
earnings accrue to any private shareholders or individuals or any of 
the items in the subparagraphs immediately above for a State or 
national organization and a statement signed by the parent organization 
that the applicant organization is a local non-profit affiliate. 
Private-non-profit institutions are encouraged to submit with their 
application the optional survey located under ``Grant Manuals and 
Forms'' at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofs/forms.htm.
c. Dissemination Plan
    Provide a plan for distributing reports and other project outputs 
to colleagues and the public. Applicants must provide a description of 
the kind, volume and timing of distribution.
d. Budget and Budget Justification
    Provide line item detail and detailed calculations for each budget 
object class identified on the Budget Information form. Detailed 
calculations must include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, 
and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to 
be duplicated. The detailed budget must also include a breakout by the 
funding sources identified in Block 15 of the SF-424.
    Provide a narrative budget justification that describes how the 
categorical costs are derived. Discuss the necessity, reasonableness, 
and allocability of the proposed costs.

D. General Budget Information

    The following guidelines are for preparing the budget and budget 
justification. Both Federal and non-Federal resources shall be detailed 
and justified in the budget and narrative

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justification. For purposes of preparing the budget and budget 
justification, ``Federal resources'' refers only to the ACF grant for 
which you are applying. Non-Federal resources are all other Federal and 
non-Federal resources. It is suggested that budget amounts and 
computations be presented in a columnar format: first column, object 
class categories; second column, Federal budget; next column(s), non-
Federal budget(s), and last column, total budget. The budget 
justification should be a narrative.
a. Personnel
    Description: Costs of employee salaries and wages.
    Justification: Identify the project director or principal 
investigator, if known. For each staff person, provide the title, time 
commitment to the project (in months), time commitment to the project 
(as a percentage or full-time equivalent), annual salary, grant salary, 
wage rates, etc. Do not include the costs of consultants or personnel 
costs of delegate agencies or of specific project(s) or businesses to 
be financed by the applicant.
b. Fringe Benefits
    Description: Costs of employee fringe benefits unless treated as 
part of an approved indirect cost rate.
    Justification: Provide a breakdown of the amounts and percentages 
that comprise fringe benefit costs such as health insurance, FICA, 
retirement insurance, taxes, etc.
c. Travel
    Description: Costs of project-related travel by employees of the 
applicant organization (does not include costs of consultant travel).
    Justification: For each trip, show the total number of traveler(s), 
travel destination, duration of trip, per diem, mileage allowances, if 
privately owned vehicles will be used, and other transportation costs 
and subsistence allowances. Travel costs for key staff to attend ACF-
sponsored conferences should be detailed in the budget.
d. Equipment
    Description: Costs of tangible, nonexpendable, personal property, 
having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of 
$5,000 or more per unit. However, an applicant may use its own 
definition of equipment provided that such equipment would at least 
include all equipment defined above.
    Justification: For each type of equipment requested, provide a 
description of the equipment, the cost per unit, the number of units, 
the total cost, and a plan for use on the project, as well as use or 
disposal of the equipment after the project ends. An applicant 
organization that uses its own definition for equipment should provide 
a copy of its policy or section of its policy that includes the 
equipment definition.
e. Supplies
    Description: Costs of all tangible personal property other than 
that included under the Equipment category.
    Justification: Specify general categories of supplies and their 
costs. Show computations and provide other information that supports 
the amount requested.
f. Other
    Enter the total of all other costs. Such costs, where applicable 
and appropriate, may include but are not limited to insurance, food, 
medical and dental costs (non-contractual), professional services 
costs, space and equipment rentals, printing and publication, computer 
use, training costs, such as tuition and stipends, staff development 
costs, and administrative costs.
    Justification: Provide computations, a narrative description and a 
justification for each cost under this category.
g. Indirect Charges
    Description: Total amount of indirect costs. This category should 
be used only when the applicant currently has an indirect cost rate 
approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or 
another cognizant Federal agency.
    Justification: An applicant that will charge indirect costs to the 
grant must enclose a copy of the current rate agreement. If the 
applicant organization is in the process of initially developing or 
renegotiating a rate, it should immediately upon notification that an 
award will be made, develop a tentative indirect cost rate proposal 
based on its most recently completed fiscal year in accordance with the 
principles set forth in the cognizant agency's guidelines for 
establishing indirect cost rates, and submit it to the cognizant 
agency. Applicants awaiting approval of their indirect cost proposals 
may also request indirect costs. It should be noted that when an 
indirect cost rate is requested, those costs included in the indirect 
cost pool should not also be charged as direct costs to the grant. 
Also, if the applicant is requesting a rate which is less than what is 
allowed under the program, the authorized representative of the 
applicant organization must submit a signed acknowledgement that the 
applicant is accepting a lower rate than allowed.
h. Total Direct Charges, Total Indirect Charges, Total Project Costs.
    Self explanatory.

Part IV. Evaluation Criteria

A. Review Criteria

    In considering how applicants will carry out the responsibilities 
addressed under this announcement, competing applications for financial 
assistance will be reviewed and evaluated against the following 
criteria:
Criterion 1. Approach (40 points)
    (a) The extent to which the application outlines a sound and 
realistic plan of action pertaining to the scope of the project which 
details how the proposed work will be accomplished, including a 
timeline; lists of each organization, consultants, including the 
evaluator, or other key individuals who will work on the project along 
with a short description of the nature of their effort or contribution; 
and assures the adequacy of time devoted to the project by key staff;
    (b) The extent to which the project approach, if successfully 
carried out, is likely to achieve the proposed project objectives; and
    (c) The applicant's ability to fully describe the approach and/or 
methodology and delineate the relationship of each task to the 
accomplishment of the proposed objectives. There should be evidence 
that the planned approach reflects sufficient input from and 
partnership with Head Start/Migrant Head Start/Early Head Start and the 
HS-HEHLPSs.
    Information provided in response to Part III, Section B. of this 
announcement will be used to evaluate applicants on this criterion.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following 
aspects of the applications:
    1. Describe the planning the applicant will conduct during the 
start-up period to prepare for implementation of the program. Provide 
assurance that no more than six months will be devoted to planning 
activities.
    2. Indicate how Head Start staff will be recruited and selected to 
participate in the program, including staff from other child care 
organizations that are collaborating with Head Start grantees and 
delegate agencies and meet Head Start performance standards within a 
given community.
    3. Describe how the training and coursework will be contextually 
and culturally relevant to the Head Start,

[[Page 43124]]

Migrant Head Start and the Early Head Start environment and how it will 
contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of teachers, staff, program 
quality and outcomes for Head Start children and families.
    4. Describe efforts by the institutions and Head Start partners to 
make training and/or coursework accessible to Head Start participants 
and to support their successful completion of courses, training, and 
degrees. Include a discussion of issues such as the timing, scheduling, 
and location of classes or training; support to enhance the literacy 
and study skills of participants; and approaches to integrate HS-
HEHLSPs training in the working environment of the Head Start program.
    5. Describe efforts to complement the Federal funds requested in 
this application with other resources to maximize the benefits to Head 
Start and HS-HEHLSPs participants. Include any efforts or plans to 
assist Head Start staff in accessing sources of financial assistance or 
to make use of other funding for training and career development of 
early childhood program staff. In addition, describe any proposed 
contributions of funds from local Head Start programs to the 
partnership. Provide assurance that trainees will not be required to 
bear any costs of participating in training.
    6. In case of academic training, describe how previous CDA training 
and certification of Head Start staff, as well as previous coursework, 
credits or AA degrees from 2-year institutions, will be linked to 
academic credits and course sequences leading to BA degrees.
    7. Describe the organizational structure that will support the 
project objectives. Indicate how joint planning and assessment with the 
Head Start, Migrant Head Start and Early Head Start grantees will be 
implemented with timelines and clear lines of responsibility. Indicate 
how staff positions are assigned and describe their major functions and 
responsibilities.
    8. Describe the activities that will continue after the completion 
of this project that will ensure that the institutions will continue to 
participate in providing educational opportunities for Head Start, 
Migrant Head Start and Early Head Start staff.
    9. Include support letters that document consultation and support 
from the proposed grantee or delegate agency partners, the Head Start 
State Collaboration Office, and any existing state level early 
childhood career development initiative.
Criterion 2. Results or Benefits Expected (20 points)
    The extent to which the application identifies the results and 
benefits to be derived; describes the anticipated contribution to 
policy, practice, theory and/or research; specific benefits should be 
described for both the HS-HEHLSPs and Head Start/Migrant Head Start/
Early Head Start partners.
    Information provided in response to Part III, Section B. of this 
announcement will be used to evaluate applicants on this criterion.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following 
aspects of the applications:
    1. Based on the stated program objectives, identify the results and 
benefits to be derived. Identify the specific results or benefits that 
could be expected for the Head Start grantee(s) and the institution. 
Describe how the trainees benefit from the project.
    2. Identify both qualitative and quantitative data the applicant 
will collect to measure progress towards the stated results or 
benefits. Identify how the program will determine the extent to which 
it has achieved its stated objectives.
    3. To propose academic training, provide a projection of the 
estimated number of trainees, by category, who will earn degrees over 
the five year duration of the project based on an analysis of the 
current levels of credits/courses earned by participants and a proposed 
sequence of courses.
    4. Propose new teaching methods for Head Start teachers and staff 
for teaching early literacy in the classrooms and enhancing parental 
skills to encourage children to read and succeed in school.
Criterion 3. Staff and Position Data (20 points)
    Key staff should be qualified and knowledgeable of Head Start, 
Migrant Head Start and Early Head Start. The extent of the demonstrated 
capacity of the applicant organization, key leaders, managers, and 
project personnel to:

    (1) Provide high quality, relevant, and responsive training to Head 
Start staff;
    (2) Assure participating project staff are competent to plan and 
deliver appropriate course material to Head Start trainees that is 
culturally relevant;
    (3) Manage the implementation of the training grant in an effective 
and timely manner; and
    (4) Manage successful partnerships that involve sharing resources, 
staffing, and facilities.

    Information provided in response to Part III, Section C. will be 
used to evaluate applicants on the above criterion.
Criterion 4. Objectives and Need for Assistance (10 Points)
    The extent to which the application identifies relevant physical, 
economic, social, financial, institutional or other problems requiring 
a grant; demonstrates the need for assistance; and states the principal 
and subordinate objectives of the project consistent with the purposes 
of the program announcement.
    Information provided in response to Part III, Section A. of this 
announcement will be used to evaluate applicants on this criterion.
    The Head Start Bureau is particularly interested in the following 
aspects of the applications:
    1. State the specific training objectives for the program. Indicate 
how these objectives are based on an assessment of staff training and 
program improvement needs of participant Head Start and Early Head 
Start agencies; how they related to Head Start goals, outcomes and 
policy priorities, and how they will enhance the quality of Head Start 
services to Hispanic/Latino children and their families.
    2. Describe the process used to assess the needs for the proposed 
program design. Specifically identify the population to be served in 
terms of numbers and types of staff to be trained and the proposed 
areas of training, courses, and/or degrees to be awarded.
    3. Describe the development of the HS-HEHLSPs agreement and other 
consultation related to the development of the proposed initiative. 
Describe any efforts to frame the proposed initiative within broader 
state or community efforts to enhance professional and career 
development for staff in all forms of early care and education 
programs.
Criterion 5. Budget and Budget Justification (10 Points)
    The extent to which the project's costs are reasonable and 
appropriate in view of the activities to be carried out and the 
anticipated outcomes. Provide a line item detail for the costs of 
attendance of project staff to attend ACF-sponsored conferences in 
Washington, D.C. It is the expectation that applicants should limit 
budget projections to those costs necessary to build institutional 
capacity for and execute training and career development partnerships 
with participating Head Start grantees.
    Information provided in response to Part III, Section D. of this 
announcement will be used to evaluate applicants on this criterion.

[[Page 43125]]

Applicable Administrative Regulations
    Applicable administrative regulations include 45 CFR part 74, 
Administration of Grants, for profit agencies: and 45 CFR part 92, 
Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements to State and local Governments.
Post-Award Reporting Requirements
    Post-Award Reporting Requirements include submission of quarterly 
programmatic and budget reports. Program reports must clearly outline 
status on the accomplishment of stated goals and objectives. Financial 
reports must provide status of budget expenditures, as well as 
identifying any projected savings or shortages.

B. The Review Process

    Applications received by the due date will be reviewed and scored 
competitively. Experts in the field, generally persons from outside the 
Federal government, will use the evaluation criteria listed in Part IV 
of this announcement to review and score the applications. The results 
of this review are a primary factor in making funding decisions.

Part V. The Application Process

A. Required Forms

    Eligible applicants interested in applying for funds must submit a 
complete application including the required forms included at the end 
of this program announcement in Appendix A. In order to be considered 
for a grant under this announcement, an application must be submitted 
on the Standard Form 424 (approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget under Control Number 0348-0043). A copy has been provided. Each 
application must be signed by an individual authorized to act for the 
applicant and to assume responsibility for the obligations imposed by 
the terms and conditions of the grant award. Applicants requesting 
financial assistance for non-construction projects must file the 
Standard Form 424B, Assurances: Non-Construction Programs (approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0040). 
Applicants must sign and return the Standard Form 424B with their 
application. Applicants must provide a certification concerning 
lobbying. Prior to receiving an award in excess of $100,000, applicants 
shall furnish an executed copy of the lobbying certification (approved 
by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 0348-0046). 
Applicants must sign and return the certification with their 
application. Applicants must make the appropriate certification of 
their compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988. By signing 
and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application.
    Applicants must make the appropriate certification that they are 
not presently debarred, suspended or otherwise ineligible for award. By 
signing and submitting the application, applicants are providing the 
certification and need not mail back the certification with the 
application.
    Applicants must also understand that they will be held accountable 
for the smoking prohibition included within Pub. L. 103-227, part C 
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (also known as The Pro-Children's Act of 
1994). A copy of the Federal Register notice that implements the 
smoking prohibition is included with the forms. By signing and 
submitting the application, applicants are providing the certification 
and need not mail back the certification with the application.
    All applicants for research projects must provide a Protection of 
Human Subjects Assurance as specified in the policy described on the 
HHS Form 596 (approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 
control number 0925-0418) in Appendix A). If there is a question 
regarding the applicability of this assurance, contact the Office for 
Protection from Research Risks of the National Institutes of Health at 
(301) 496-7041. Those applying for or currently conducting research 
projects are further advised of the availability of a Certificate of 
Confidentiality through the National Institute of Mental Health of the 
Department of Health and Human Services. To obtain more information and 
to apply for a Certificate of Confidentiality, contact the Division of 
Extramural Activities of the National Institute of Mental Health at 
(301) 443-4673.

B. Application Limits

    The application should be double-spaced and single-sided on 8\1/
2\'' x 11'' plain white paper, with 1'' margins on all sides. Use only 
a standard size font no smaller than 12 pitch throughout the proposal. 
All pages of the application (including appendices, resumes, charts, 
references/footnotes, tables, maps and exhibits) must be sequentially 
numbered, beginning on the first page after the budget justification, 
the principal investigator contact information and the Table of 
Contents. The length of the application, starting with page 1 as 
described above and including appendices and resumes, should not exceed 
65 pages; the project summary should not be counted in the 65 pages. 
Applicants are requested not to send pamphlets, brochures, or other 
printed material along with their applications as these pose copying 
difficulties. These materials, if submitted, will not be included in 
the review process. In addition, applicants must not submit any 
additional letters of endorsement beyond any that may be required. 
Applicants may omit from the application copies (not the original) 
specific salary rates or amounts for individuals specified in the 
application budget and social security numbers if otherwise required 
for individuals. The copies may include summary salary information.
    Applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae using 
``Biographical Sketch'' forms used by some government agencies.
    Please note that applicants that do not comply with the 
requirements in the section on ``Eligible Applicants'' will not be 
included in the review process.

C. Checklist for a Complete Application

    The checklist below is for your use to ensure that the application 
package has been properly prepared.

--One original, signed and dated application plus two copies.
--Attachments/Appendices, when included, should be used only to provide 
supporting documentation such as resumes, and letters of agreement/
support.
Front Matter
    [sbull] Cover Letter.
    [sbull] Table of Contents.
    [sbull] Project Abstract.
    (1) Application for Federal Assistance (SF424, Rev, 4-92).
    (2) Budget information-non-construction programs (SF424, A&B).
    (3) Budget Justification, including subcontract agency budgets.
    (4) Letter(s) from the Head Start, Migrant Head Start or Early Head 
Start Program certifying that the program is a partner of the 
institution.
    (5) Application Narrative and Appendices.
    (6) Assurances Non-Construction Program.
    (7) Certification Regarding Lobbying.
    (8) Where appropriate, a completed Single Point of Contact (SPOC) 
certification with the date of SPOC contact entered in line 16, page 1 
of the SF424, REV. 4-92.
    (9) Certification of Protection of Human Subjects.

[[Page 43126]]

D. Due Date for the Receipt of Applications

    1. Deadline: The closing date for the receipt of applications is 
4:30 p.m. (EDT) August 20, 2003 at: ACYF Operations Center, 1150 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: 
1-800-351-2293, E-mail: [email protected].
    Application for Head Start Discretionary Grants: Head Start-Higher 
Education Hispanic/Latino Service Partnerships (HS-HEHLSPs). Applicants 
will receive a confirmation postcard upon receipt of their application 
package.
    Applications hand carried by applicants, applicant couriers, or by 
overnight/express mail couriers shall be delivered between the hours of 
8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) at the address 
above. (Applicants are cautioned that express/overnight mail services 
do not always deliver as agreed.) ACF cannot accommodate transmission 
of applications by fax or e-mail. Therefore, applications faxed or e-
mailed to ACF will not be accepted.
    2. Late applications: Applications which do not meet the criteria 
above are considered late applications. ACF shall notify each late 
applicant that its application will not be considered in the current 
competition.
    3. Extension of deadlines: ACF may extend an application deadline 
for applicants affected by acts of God such as floods and hurricanes, 
or where there is widespread disruption of the mail. A determination to 
waive or extend deadline requirements rests with the Chief Grants 
Management Officer.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, the 
Department is required to submit to OMB for review and approval any 
reporting and record keeping requirements in regulations including 
program announcements. All information collections within this program 
announcement are approved under OMB control number 0970-0139 which 
expires 12/31/2003.
    Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 
10 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 
gathering and maintaining the data needed and reviewing the collection 
of information.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

F. Required Notification of the State Single Point of Contact

    This program is covered under Executive Order 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, and 45 CFR part 100, 
Intergovernmental Review of Department of Health and Human Services 
Program and Activities. Under the Order, States may design their own 
processes for reviewing and commenting on proposed Federal assistance 
under covered programs. All States and Territories except Alabama, 
Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, 
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, 
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, 
Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, Palau, have elected to participate in 
the Executive Order process and have established Single Points of 
Contact (SPOCs). Applicants from these twenty-six jurisdictions need 
take no action regarding E.O. 12372. Applicants for projects to be 
administered by Federally-recognized Indian Tribes are also exempt from 
the requirements of E.O. 12372.
    All remaining jurisdictions participate in the Executive Order 
process and have established SPOCs. Applicants from participating 
jurisdictions should contact their SPOCs as soon as possible to alert 
them of the prospective applications and receive instructions. The 
applicant must submit all required materials, if any, to the SPOC and 
indicate the date of the submittal (or the date of contact if no 
submittal is required) on the Standard Form 424, item 16a. Under 45 CFR 
100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application deadline to 
comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. Applicants 
must submit any required material to the SPOCs as soon as possible so 
that the Federal program office can obtain and review SPOC comments as 
part of the award process. A listing of the SPOC for each participating 
state and territory with contact and address information is available 
at http://whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
    Under 45 CFR 100.8(a)(2), a SPOC has 60 days from the application 
deadline to comment on proposed new or competing continuation awards. 
SPOCs are encouraged to eliminate the submission of routine 
endorsements as official recommendations.
    Additionally, SPOCs are requested to clearly differentiate between 
mere advisory comments and those official State process recommendations 
that may trigger the accommodation or explain rule.
    When comments are submitted directly to ACF, they should be 
addressed to: William Wilson, Head Start Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20447, Attn: Head Start-Higher Education Hispanic/Latino 
Service Partnerships. A list of the Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) 
for each State and Territory can be found on the following Web site: 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

    Dated: July 10, 2003.
Joan E. Ohl,
Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families.

Appendix A--List of Current Head Start--Higher Education Hispanic/
Latino Service Partnerships

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          FY 2000 Institutions
                             (expiring 2004)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Aims Community College..................  Colorado.
2. CSU--Bakersfield........................  California.
3. CSU--Northridge.........................  California.
4. CSU--San Marcos.........................  California.
5. Fresno City College.....................  California.
6. Portland Community College..............  Oregon.
7. University of Texas-Pan American........  Texas.
--------------------------------------------
                          FY 2001 Institutions
                             (expiring 2005)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Bronx Community College.................  New York.
2. Hartnell Community College..............  California.
3. Michigan State University...............  Michigan.
4. The University of Texas-San Antonio.....  Texas.
5. Yosemite Community College District/      California.
 Modesto Junior College.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 03-18166 Filed 7-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P